Matthew Hopkins (1620–1647) was an English Witchfinder General. Hopkins and his associate John Stearne executed 40% of the approximately 500 so-called witches killed in England. Public outrage forced him to retire in 1646.

The Excommunication of Robert the Pious. The officiants have just excommunicated Robert as per the ritual, and left the quenched candle behind. - Credit: Jean-Paul Laurens

In Roman Catholicism, the phrase Bell, Book and Candle is used to indicate excommunication of someone who has committed severe sin. The expression derives from the ritual where the Bishop reads the condemnation from the liturgical book, after which candles carried by 12 priests are thrown to the ground. A tolling bell was added to the ritual in 1190.